Anone understand elec trailer brakes?

[sixdogs]

My simple Reese elec brake unit ($50) on my 2005 Tundra worked perfect since new. I rarely use the double axle, new --year 2000-- build four wheel brake trailer, it sits inside and the truck only has 25,000 miles. Trailer has never been wet.
Anyway, the trailer brakes started to lock up when I applied the pedal the other day so I just disconnected until I got home.
After fooling with the side and front "output" and "sync" controls, things work fine going forward but trailer brakes lock up in reverse. Nothing I do seems to change it but I am not trailer savvy.

I searched the net and find no mention of this and figure I just fried the unit?
But how? I never jumped the battery. Should I just replace the unit? Any ideas or advice?
Thanks in advance.

 

[The Haymaker]

The way I understand it, "sync" only sets the delay of how long it takes for the brakes to apply on the trailer after the tow vehicle brakes are applied. "Output" tells how hard to apply.

How far did you pull it this time? Oxidation/rust in drums or shoes making them grabby? Are you sure they didn't bite harder in reverse all along? Too me that sounds like some sort of geometry issue in the brake design, not something from the controller. I don't believe there is anything in the system that senses if the truck is going forward or reverse.

Of course, this all comes from a guy who just hooked up his first controller last week and hauled a loaded at about 6600gvw for the first time (with trailer brakes, my bad) yesterday. First impression is that it stops much better.

E

 

[sixdogs]

Trailer sits in a dry barn and has worked correctly for 6 years. They are not slightly grabbing in reverse but locking up.

 

[JD7]

I would check both the truck side and the trailer side separately. Both of your units are over 6 years old. Things wear out, corrosion etc. I found a link on your Reese Troubleshooting a Reese Electric Trailer Brake Controller OL Error Message | etrailer.com
Personally I prefer the old school non-electronic brake controller because they tend to last longer. I had a similar problem with the last electronic e controller made by Reese. I switched back to Draw Tite: Draw-Tite 2-4 Brake Electronic Brake Controller - Time Delayed Draw-Tite Brake Controller 5100
The adjustment on the Reese E Brake Controller allows you to set the strength of the brakes when you are traveling empty vs heavy. If you are set to full strength, you will lock up the brakes every time you tap your brakes.
Good Luck!

 

[Egon]

You should be able to set the amount of braking applied on the controller.

If the trailer is empty it may be very little.

 

[sixdogs]

You should be able to set the amount of braking applied on the controller.

If the trailer is empty it may be very little.

JD7--Thanks, I'll check out. Nothing is rusty--this is in drt storage and few times a year use.
Egon--Not a grab, just lockup in reverse as soon as I apply brakes. It worked perfectly for 6 years.

 

[Scrambler82]

I have heard of a unit that when you go into reverse it locks out the brakes.

Not sure if this would be problem, undo stress on the truck’s brakes when backing, but just thinking out loud.

My buddies Boat Trailer is that way has a relay built in to the trailer neck to do the lock out.

 

[atgreene]

If it's a lightweight trailer that is common. My heavy (16000gvw) lowbed will lock up even with the brake controler set on 3 (out of 10). I seriously doubt you have anything wrong, a little rust from natural humidity will cause some grabbing anyway. Good luck.

 

[mojoinco]

Sure sounds like a wiring issue (I always go to the grounds first when things get weird). Check at the controller, at the truck trailer wiring ground, the trailer ground, the brakes ground.

Also, post this in the trailers forum.

 

[atgreene]

One more thing if it is in fact locking up in reverse, make sure your back-up light circuit isn't crossing over to the brake circuit via a corroded plug recepticle on the truck.